All Parks News

Cash-strapped Americans looking for a cheap getaway at a state park or campground this summer are likely to find instead reduced hours, higher fees and closed beaches and pools.State parks and historic sites across the nation have had to cut back because of budgets squeezed by the economic downturn, said Philip McKnelly, executive director of the National Association of State Parks Directors.

Memorial Day is the unofficial kick-off to summer, bringing visions of lazy days, cookouts, weekend getaways and of course, summer vacation.

Pro-gun forces won a major victory in Washington on Wednesday when Congress voted to allow people to carry loaded weapons in most national parks and refuges.The action was a major defeat for supporters of gun control, who earlier in the year won a court reversal of a Bush administration policy that first lifted the restrictions on loaded firearms on those public lands.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has voted to allow people to carry loaded guns in national parks and wildlife refuges.The House approved the measure, 279-147, on Wednesday, one day after the Senate acted.Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., sponsored the measure, which would restore a Bush administration policy allowing loaded guns in national parks. A federal judge blocked the policy in March, and the Obama administration did not file an appeal.

Although it’s been almost two decades since I last stepped foot in a classroom, as the days get longer and warmer I get distracted by thoughts of summer vacation. No More Pencils, No More Books, No More Teacher's Dirty Looks…still resonates as much today as it did when I was 12, even if I’m not going to have a long, cool summer.

In an era when wired, indoor lifestyles threaten to consume natural outside inclinations, Merrell and the National Park Foundation (NPF) have partnered to get more people living active and outdoor lives. A long-term agreement, formalized today, represents a unique and synergized partnership between Merrell and the NPF that will work to make the National Parks more visible and invite more people to get outside and enjoy these natural resources.

In a letter sent to President Obama today, several national park ranger organizations, the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), The Humane Society of the United States, Violence Policy Center, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, and the Legal Community Against Violence asked for the president’s help in stopping efforts to allow loaded rifles, shotguns, and semi-automatic weapons in America&rs

National parks and forests are one of the nation's greatest treasures, yet with admission fees upwards of $20 a visit, the cost of visiting multiple parks during a summer road trip across America can quickly add up.  The solution?  An annual parks pass that covers the cost of entrance fees at over 400 National Parks, National Monuments, trailheads and National Recreation Areas nationwide.

 

Kiss those April showers goodbye, and give spring the welcome it deserves by getting out there to experience wildflowers in bloom.Wildflowers are finicky things, and blooming times and species vary depending on the weather. We’ve done the legwork for you and have compiled a list of some of the best places to see wildflowers in May. Shenandoah National Park—Luray, VA

Hoot! Hoot! All about the Great Horned Owl!

If you missed International Migratory Bird Day last weekend, don’t fret–we’ve compiled some eco and purse-friendly tips to get you on your way to becoming an expert birdwatcher. Hop to your backyard or fly to your nearest park, and start spotting your local and migratory birds today.

Our little green guides have been helping outdoor enthusiasts plan their adventures to parks and monuments across the country for more than two decades. This month, we’re happy to announce our newest edition that features convenient, easy-to-navigate Watchable Wildlife, Walking & Hiking and Camping charts.

Reporting from Washington -- The Senate on Tuesday voted to relax a long-standing ban on bringing loaded guns into national parks, an outcome that underscored divisions among Democrats over the politically charged issue of regulating firearms.

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is co-sponsoring a bill that would give veterans annual passes to national parks at discounted rates.